Opinion

Monte Poole: Cal coach Jeff Tedford is rock-solid in Pac-10

By Monte PooleOakland Tribune

Posted:
01/13/2010 08:28:37 PM PST

Updated:
01/14/2010 08:35:02 AM PST

Click photo to enlarge

It's an excellent time for the folks at Cal to point out they have a committed head coach in Jeff Tedford, a stable program and numerous representatives in the NFL.
(Jose Carlos Fajardo/Contra Costa Times)

Given such levels of agitation and anxiety within the Pac-10, this would seem to be a good time to be Jeff Tedford.

Moreover, it's an excellent time for the folks at Cal to point out they have a stable program, a committed head coach and numerous representatives in the NFL.

Tedford of late has taken considerable heat, at least by West Coast standards and certainly by Berkeley standards, for teams that have fallen into the annoying habit of submitting solid but unsatisfying seasons.

This unmistakable sense of underachievement naturally leads to e-mails and phone calls from fans expressing their disappointment. Tedford, who came to town with a reputation for developing quarterbacks, has not been able to transform either of his last two into an all-conference player. Furthermore, he was unable to scheme any of his past three squads into the AP Top 25.

Old Blues are displeased with middling Pac-10 finishes and second- and third-tier bowl games when the money they're throwing at Tedford is commensurate with that of a coach who should frequently, if not consistently, compete for a conference title.

Advertisement

Tedford's $2.8 million package — less than half of which is actual salary — ranked No. 2 among Pac-10 coaches in 2009, behind only Carroll, whose reported $4.4 million salary was the highest in the nation. The paychecks given to our man Jeff were larger than those given to South Carolina's Steve Spurrier ($2.03 million) and Florida State's legendary Bobby Bowden, whose package was worth $2.3 million. From a purely bang-for-the-buck viewpoint, Cal has good reason to expect better.

But when one examines the big picture, as athletic director Sandy Barbour is inclined to do, there are several other factors to consider. There is immense serenity in not having to routinely respond to rumors and innuendo — or evidence — about cheating. And it's comforting to know there will be more wins than losses, especially when only one of the previous six coaches, Bruce Snyder, left Cal with a record above .500.

Then there is the matter of continuity, which can't be underestimated insofar as most big-name recruits sign not so much to attend a particular school but to play under a specific coaching staff.

Entering his ninth season with the Golden Bears, Tedford is the most tenured coach in the Pac-10. His program is relatively clean. Turnover among his assistants is relatively low, though it most assuredly would be higher if Cal were averaging 10 wins per season instead of eight.

Quite simply, no football coach in the Pac-10 can sell consistency to recruits as openly and honestly as Tedford — and have evidence to back it up.

Harbaugh is restless by nature. Kiffin has to overcome a credibility problem. Rick Neuheisel passed through two other schools as head coach before getting to UCLA. Kelly has a one-year record and has been noticed. Steve Sarkisian at Washington, another rookie, was contacted by the Raiders in 2007 and, should he have success, will get more looks from the NFL.

Rarely does Cal recruit against the likes of Paul Wulff at Washington State, Dennis Erickson at Arizona State or Mike Stoops at Arizona.

The problem with Mike Riley, entering his eighth year at Oregon State and who recently signed an extension through 2019, when he turns 66, is that he is in Corvallis. Riley is the best coach in the conference, but he works in a place that almost never attracts a blue-chipper.

Which means Tedford this month is in position to expand his clout. He can sell the Bay Area. He can sell improving and expanding facilities, though certain areas of Memorial Stadium look like safety hazards.

Mostly, though, Tedford can sell himself as a fixture, and a coach who consistently sends players to the NFL.

As recruits scramble and decommit and recommit at USC, as the Pac-10 waves goodbye to Carroll and braces for Hurricane Lane, Tedford's program stands as a virtual island of peace and permanence.

That's pretty remarkable these days. Tedford should know that, as should Cal.